The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are fully underway, and the opening round is delivering the exact brand of high-stakes drama hockey fans crave. If you are looking for the latest NHL News and NHL Scores, Sunday, April 26, 2026, brings a massive shift in the postseason landscape. From history-making sweeps to veteran captains refusing to let their seasons end, the battle for the Stanley Cup is heating up.
Catch Up on the Action: NHL Scores from April 25
Before we look ahead to today’s pivotal matchups, we have to look back at an electrifying Saturday slate. Here are the official NHL scores from yesterday’s critical Game 4s:
| Away Team | Score | Home Team | Score | Final Status | Series Update |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 4 | Ottawa Senators | 2 | Final | CAR wins series 4-0 |
| Dallas Stars | 2 | Minnesota Wild | 3 | Final (OT) | Series tied 2-2 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | Final | PHI leads series 3-1 |
Yesterday’s Key NHL News and Game Notes
If you missed yesterday’s action, here are the most important takeaways and game notes to keep you up to speed:
- Hurricanes Bring Out the Brooms: The Carolina Hurricanes became the first team to advance to the Second Round of the 2026 playoffs, completing a dominant 4-0 sweep over the Ottawa Senators. Forward Logan Stankoven tied a franchise record with a goal in his fourth consecutive playoff game. Carolina is now the third team in NHL history to secure a series win in eight straight postseasons.
- Crosby Staves Off Elimination: You can never count out Sidney Crosby. Facing a daunting 3-0 series deficit in the “Battle of Pennsylvania,” Crosby opened the scoring and set up Kris Letang’s game-winning goal to force a Game 5. The Penguins beat the Flyers 4-2 on the road, with Crosby tallying his 204th career playoff point.
- Wild Tie It Up in OT: American Airlines Center will host a massive Game 5 on Tuesday after the Minnesota Wild rallied to beat the Dallas Stars 3-2. Marcus Foligno tied the game late in regulation, paving the way for Matt Boldy to tip in the overtime winner with just 28.9 seconds left in the extra frame. It was Minnesota’s first home-ice playoff overtime win in over a decade.
What to Watch For Today
Today’s slate features four critical matchups. The Los Angeles Kings find themselves in the exact position the Penguins were in yesterday—down 3-0 and desperate to avoid elimination against the Colorado Avalanche.
Meanwhile, three other teams face 2-1 deficits and are looking to even up their series today:
- Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins (BOS trails 2-1)
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens (MTL leads 2-1)
- Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks (EDM trails 2-1)
Expect milestone moments tonight, as both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are set to lace up for their 100th career playoff games.
NHL Games Today on TV
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